Several approaches to collecting 1967 Canadian Centennial medals

100th anniversary of Confederation sparked several hundred different
medallions in Canada

The Britannia Commemorative Society issued this medal celebrating the centennial of Canadian Confederation in 1967. Image provided by Brian Thomson.

John A. MacDonald, first prime minister of Canada, appears against a backdrop of a framed portrait of a queen on this 1867-1967 Centennial of Canadian Confederation commemorative medal from the Britannia Commemorative Society. [Ljava.lang.Object;@5a520a95

Guest Commentary from the March 14, 2016, issue of Coin World:

The
basic theme expressed in Pierre Burton’s book titled 1967: The Last
Good Year could also be applied to the collecting of medallions
issued in Canada. During the 1960s, collectors were still experiencing
a period in numismatic history that was a continuation of the roaring
1950s of coin collecting that resulted from post-war prosperity.
During this time, medallions and trade dollar tokens were beginning to
become more popular to commemorate events or increase tourism.

The
production of medallions peaked during 1967 in Canada as the nation
celebrated its 100th anniversary of Confederation (becoming its own
country separate from the British Colonies). This year witnessed
production of several hundred different medallions in Canada, and
there hasn’t been another year in Canada’s history that was so prolific.

The
“purist” 1967 Centennial collector is one who only collects issues
with the Centennial symbol on it (11 equilateral triangles forming a
maple leaf, which represents all 10 provinces and one territory of the
time period). Some will go further and allow an issue with 1867-1967
on it with a Canadian reference also.

Within
this specialty, one can collect one of each medallion’s metal
compositions, or just the base metal pieces without the silver and
gold issues. The advanced collector will be on the lookout for
anything different, such as trial strikes, off-center strikes, medals
with die cracks, varieties, brockage errors and mule strikes.
Approximately 500 pieces await the advanced collector who chooses to
collect as a purist.

Besides
medallions, one can also add wooden pieces, elongated cents and
encased cents to a Centennial collection.

The Expo 67 collector

From
April 27 to Oct. 29, among the Centennial celebrations was a world’s
fair called Expo 67, hosted by Montreal, Quebec. It was built upon the
existing St. Helen’s Island and a second island, called Notre-Dame,
that was created from the extra earth from the Montreal subway system
and earth dredged from the St. Lawrence River.

Sixty-two
countries were represented inside the expo’s 90 architectural
pavilions. Over 50 million visitors visited the event, and many
medallions were struck to take home with them. The pavilion souvenirs
and the Man and His World medallions are the most common to collect,
but there are a few that are quite scarce to find in this 60 to 80+
piece potential collection.

The 1967-date collector

This
collector wants everything that was issued during 1967 in Canada to
add to his or her Centennial and Expo 67 collection. It’s a very
eclectic adventure of discovering what else was issued this year and
feeding an endless supply of possibilities for the collector. Notably,
the 1967 Pan Am Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba, sports awards, coin
clubs, and private issues are a few to be mentioned here in this 150+
piece collection.

If
you’re interested in finding out more about these fascinating
medallions for the 1967 Centennial year in Canada, you can join the
Canadian Centennial Collector’s Club for $20 Canadian (about $14 U.S.)
for a one-year membership. We issue a quarterly newsletter in pdf
called The Centennial Collector and hold regular meetings that
you can attend. To become a member you can contact Treasurer Scott
Douglas, Box CW 273, Mill St. E., Acton, Ontario, Canada L7J 1J7.

The Commission of Fine Artsâ recommendation for the Proof 2014 American Eagle platinum coin, left, brought outrage and derision at the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting. The CCAC recommended the design to the right.

The Commission of Fine Artsâ recommendation for the Proof 2014 American Eagle platinum coin, left, brought outrage and derision at the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting. The CCAC recommended the design to the right.

The Commission of Fine Artsâ recommendation for the Proof 2014 American Eagle platinum coin, left, brought outrage and derision at the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting. The CCAC recommended the design to the right.

The Commission of Fine Artsâ recommendation for the Proof 2014 American Eagle platinum coin, left, brought outrage and derision at the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting. The CCAC recommended the design to the right.

The Commission of Fine Artsâ recommendation for the Proof 2014 American Eagle platinum coin, left, brought outrage and derision at the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting. The CCAC recommended the design to the right.